Prambanan Temple

Prambanan temple is extraordinarily beautiful building constructed in the tenth century during the reigns of two kings namely Rakai Pikatan and Rakai Balitung. Soaring up to 47 meters (5 meters higher than Borobudur temple), the foundation of this temple has fulfilled the desire of the founder to show Hindu triumph in Java Island. This temple is located 17 kilometers from the city center, among an area that now functions as beautiful park.






There is a legend that Javanese people always tell about this temple. As the story tells, there was a man named Bandung Bondowoso who loved Roro Jonggrang. To refuse his love, Jonggrang asked Bondowoso to make her a temple with 1,000 statues only in one-night time. The request was nearly fulfilled when Jonggrang asked the villagers to pound rice and to set a fire in order to look like morning had broken. Feeling to be cheated, Bondowoso who only completed 999 statues cursed Jonggrang to be the thousandth statue.



Prambanan temple has three main temples in the primary yard, namely Vishnu, Brahma, and Shiva temples. Those three temples are symbols of Trimurti in Hindu belief. All of them face to the east. Each main temple has accompanying temple facing to the west, namely Nandini for Shiva, Angsa for Brahma, and Garuda for Vishnu. Besides, there are 2 flank temples, 4 kelir temples and 4 corner temples. In the second area, there are 224 temples.



Entering Shiva temple, the highest temple and is located in the middle, you will find four rooms. One main room contains Shiva statue, while the other three rooms contain the statues of Durga (Shiva's wife), Agastya (Shiva's teacher), and Ganesha (Shiva's son). Durga statue is said to be the statue of Roro Jonggrang in the above legend.



In Vishnu temple, to the north of Shiva temple, you will find only one room with Vishnu statue in it. In Brahma temple, to the south of Shiva temple, you find only room as well with Brahma statue in it.



Quite attractive accompanying temple is Garuda temple that is located close to Vishnu temple. This temple keeps a story of half-bird human being named Garuda. Garuda is a mystical bird in Hindu mythology. The figure is of golden body, white face, red wings, with the beak and wings similar to eagle's. It is assumed that the figure is Hindu adaptation of Bennu (means 'rises' or 'shines') that is associated with the god of the Sun or Re in Old Egypt mythology or Phoenix in Old Greek mythology. Garuda succeeded in saving his mother from the curse of Aruna (Garuda's handicapped brother) by stealing Tirta Amerta (the sacred water of the gods).



Its ability to save her mother made many people admire it to the present time and it is used for various purposes. Indonesia uses the bird as the symbol of the country. Other country using the same symbol is Thailand, with the same reason but different form adaptation and appearance. In Thailand, Garuda is known as Krut or Pha Krut.



Prambanan also has panels of relief describing the story of Ramayana. Experts say that the relief is similar to the story of Ramayana that is told orally from generation to generation. Another interesting relief is Kalpataru tree that - in Hindu - the tree is considered tree of life, eternity and environment harmony. In Prambanan, relief of Kalpataru tree is described as flanking a lion. The presence of this tree makes experts consider that Javanese society in the ninth century had wisdom to manage its environment.



Just like Garuda, Kalpataru tree is also used for various purposes. In Indonesia, Kalpataru is used as the logo of Indonesian Environment Institution. Some intellectuals in Bali even develop "Tri Hita Karana" concept for environment conservation by seeing Kalpataru relief in this temple. This tree of life is also seen in the gunungan (the puppet used as an opening of traditional puppet show or wayang kulit). This proves that relief panels in Prambanan have been widely known throughout the world.



If you see the relief in detail, you will see many birds on them; they are real birds as we can see on the earth right now. Relief panels of such birds are so natural that biologists can identify their genus. One of them is the relief of the Yellow-Crest Parrot (Cacatua sulphurea) that cites unanswered question. The reason is that the bird only exists in Masakambing Island, an island in the middle of Java Sea. Then, did the bird exist in Yogyakarta? No body has succeeded in revealing the mystery.



You can discover many more things in Prambanan. You can see relief of Wiracarita Ramayana based on oral tradition. If you feel tired of enjoying the relief, you can take a rest in the beautiful garden in the complex. Since 18 September 2006, you can enter zone 1 area of Prambanan temple. The damage caused by the earthquake on 27 May 2006 is being reconstructed. Please come and enjoy Prambanan temple.



Source : http://www.puriasrihotel.com/

Borobudur is the biggest Buddhist temple in Central Java

Borobudur is the biggest Buddhist temple in the ninth century measuring 123 x 123 meters. It was completed centuries before Angkor Wat in Kamboja.

Who does not know Borobudur? This Buddhist temple has 1460 relief panels and 504 Buddha effigies in its complex. Millions of people are eager to visit this building as one of the World Wonder Heritages. It is not surprising since architecturally and functionally, as the place for Buddhists to say their prayer, Borobudur is attractive.
Borobudur was built by King Samaratungga, one of the kings of Old Mataram Kingdom, the descendant of Sailendra dynasty. Based on Kayumwungan inscription, an Indonesian named Hudaya Kandahjaya revealed that Borobudur was a place for praying that was completed to be built on 26 May 824, almost one hundred years from the time the construction was begun. The name of Borobudur, as some people say, means a mountain having terraces (budhara), while other says that Borobudur means monastery on the high place.
Borobudur is constructed as a ten-terraces building. The height before being renovated was 42 meters and 34.5 meters after the renovation because the lowest level was used as supporting base. The first six terraces are in square form, two upper terraces are in circular form, and on top of them is the terrace where Buddha statue is located facing westward. Each terrace symbolizes the stage of human life. In line with of Buddha Mahayana, anyone who intends to reach the level of Buddha's must go through each of those life stages.

The base of Borobudur, called Kamadhatu, symbolizes human being that are still bound by lust. The upper four stories are called Rupadhatu symbolizing human beings that have set themselves free from lust but are still bound to appearance and shape. On this terrace, Buddha effigies are placed in open space; while the other upper three terraces where Buddha effigies are confined in domes with wholes are called Arupadhatu, symbolizing human beings that have been free from lust, appearance and shape. The top part that is called Arupa symbolizes nirvana, where Buddha is residing.
Each terrace has beautiful relief panels showing how skillful the sculptors were. In order to understand the sequence of the stories on the relief panels, you have to walk clockwise from the entrance of the temple. The relief panels tell the legendary story of Ramayana. Besides, there are relief panels describing the condition of the society by that time; for example, relief of farmers' activity reflecting the advance of agriculture system and relief of sailing boat representing the advance of navigation in Bergotta (Semarang).
All relief panels in Borobudur temple reflect Buddha's teachings. For the reason, this temple functions as educating medium for those who want to learn Buddhism. YogYES suggests that you walk through each narrow passage in Borobudur in order for you to know the philosophy of Buddhism. Atisha, a Buddhist from India in the tenth century once visited this temple that was built 3 centuries before Angkor Wat in Cambodia and 4 centuries before the Grand Cathedrals in Europe.
Thanks to visiting Borobudur and having supply of Buddha teaching script from Serlingpa (King of Sriwijaya), Atisha was able to improve Buddha's teachings after his return to India and he built a religion institution, Vikramasila Buddhism. Later he became the leader of Vikramasila monastery and taught Tibetans of practicing Dharma. Six scripts from Serlingpa were then summarized as the core of the teaching called "The Lamp for the Path to Enlightenment" or well known as Bodhipathapradipa.
A question about Borobudur that is still unanswered by far is how the condition around the temple was at the beginning of its foundation and why at the time of it's finding the temple was buried. Some hypotheses claim that Borobudur in its initial foundation was surrounded by swamps and it was buried because of Merapi explosion. It was based on Kalkutta inscription with the writing 'Amawa' that means sea of milk. The Sanskrit word was used to describe the occurrence of disaster. The sea of milk was then translated into Merapi lava. Some others say that Borobudur was buried by cold lava of Merapi Mountain.
With the existing greatness and mystery, it makes sense if many people put Borobudur in their agenda as a place worth visiting in their lives. Besides enjoying the temple, you may take a walk around the surrounding villages such as Karanganyar and Wanurejo. You can also get to the top of Kendil stone where you can enjoy Borobudur and the surrounding scenery. Please visit Borobudur temple right away...

Text: Yunanto Wiji Utomo
source : http://www.yogyes.com/en/yogyakarta-tourism-object/candi/borobudur/

Tlogo Plantation Resort

Atractively set at an elevation of 675 metres above sea level, TLOGO Plantation Resort is located in Delik Vilage, a sub district of semarang regency in central java province, with it's width of 415 hectares.

The plantation's cool weather, clean and fresh air, allows visitors to enjoy ... the beautiful scenery in acomfortable environment. Lush plantation's include coffee, rubber, cloves, as well as nutmeg. visitor can also witness the beauty of "Rawa Pening" from afar

TLOGO, is also a well-known place to spend a day touring through it's splended coffee and rubber plantation. always green, blanketed with a light misty air, the area is blessed with abundance of tropical fruits such as durians, mangoes, rambutans, guavas, bananas and avocadoes.

Rates:

From 2010 (after renovation) there is a flat rate of Rp 475,000 for all cottages. The price includes breakfast but is exclusive of 10% service charge. You have the choice of a free-standing cottage or a cottage from a pair under one roof. There are cottages with twin beds and with double bed.

If you are on a budget, you can also stay in a room in a two-storey building, rate Rp 275,000.

 
TLOGO Plantation Resort
Jl Raya Tuntang-Beringin KM.2 Semarang
PO BOX 03 Salatiga, Central Java,Indonesia
Phone : 0298-340111
Fax. : 0298-340111/222
email : tlogoplantationresort@gmai l.com

Gedongsongo Temple

Gedongsongo Temple & Old Locomotive Museum

The temple complex located in central Java about 90 KM from Jogakarta, 50 km from Semarang and approximately 70 km from Solo, has beautiful Panorama of Volcano in central java. This Temple complex is an old Hindu Temple complex in Java, from 8th century, live about 900 metres above see level in the slope of Mount Ungaran. There is also wonderful Hot spring to see. Then continue to the only one Railway Museum in Java with about 25 old Locomotive from colonial time. Enjoy also short trip to walk along the historic railway by small trem over the green rice field. On the way you see cacao, coffee and clove tree plantation.

" Urgent required " 3 Star Hotel in Semarang Central Java

3 *** Hotel in Semarang Central Java looking for employees as part of the No.1 team, high-skilled and experienced with breakthrough vision to invade the market

they open new vacancies for the following position:
Sales Manager
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3 years experience is required
For more information and other vacancies please contact to
arrendra@yahoo.com or submit your question in the comment Box bellow

Losari Spa Retreat and Coffee Plantation

Java is a place of forested peaks and liquid green rice terraces, whose ancient temples and soearing mountain form the backdrop of this beautiful island, Losari Spa Retreat & Coffee Plantation is located in the centre of it

View full screen picture? Simple... just klik on the picture


Rate
Plantation villa    
USD 350 ++
Arum Villa      
USD 400 ++
Ambar Villa    
USD 450 ++
Bella Vista Villa
USD 1.800++


Promotioanal rate :
USD 300 ++ per night per villa,  minimaly Stay 2 Night. Valid till 31 March 2010
Incluisve : Breakfast, Afternoon Tea, Morning Yoga, Coffee Plantation Tour, Return Airport Transfer


This Green Resort  also apply IDR rate for Indonesian and KITAS holder

For more information about the accommodation in Losari Spa Retreat & Coffee Plantation, Please Call

Phone (+62298 596 333)

or email to reservations@losaricoffeeplantation.com

Sort history About Central java

The north coast of Java was the home of the first Islamic sultanates, the greatest being Demak. Jepara was an independent power before falling under Demak. It hosted trading posts for the Portuguese and English as well as the Dutch. Kudus was another important city in the 1500s; today it's known as a center for clove cigarettes.
The central part of Java is the home of some of Indonesia's greatest monuments, palaces, and historical sites. The Sailendra kings ruled here in the 800s, and built Borobudur between where Magelang and Yogyakarta are today. Later Hindu kings from Sanjaya built Prambanan between today's Yogyakarta and Surakarta, and the temples of Dieng near Wonosobo, and founded the original Hindu kingdom of Mataram.
In the later 1500s, a second, Islamic Mataram kingdom would rise in this area. Courts at Kota Gede, Plered, Pajang, and Kartasura were the ancestors of today's Kratons at Surakarta and Yogyakarta.


Yogyakarta is a major cultural center today, a university town with many artists and performers. It hosted the government of the new Republic during its early years.
Surakarta or Solo is also a major cultural center, a place where the traditions of Java are preserved.
Rembang was the home of Raden Kartini, a famous writer and pioneer in women's education, in the 1890s.
In 1950, the lands of the Sultan of Yogya were organized in the new Republic as the Daerah Istimewa (or Special Area of) Yogyakarta, in recognition of the outstanding service by Sultan Hamengkubuwono IX during the revolution against the Dutch.